Phoenix’s WNBA Franchise Gives Control of Team to Cheryl Miller

PHOENIX — The new Phoenix WNBA franchise, still weeks away from choosing a name, gave itself an attitude and instant identity Monday by hiring Cheryl Miller as coach and general manager.

“Run, run, run, run, run,” Miller said about her kind of team. “Play some outstanding defense. I want this team to be physical, I want them to know the game.”

That’s also a capsule of Miller herself.

Miller, 33, took USC to two national championships as a player, helped the 1984 U.S. women win an Olympic gold medal, was a three-time NCAA player of the year and is one of 11 women in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

She also coached USC’s women to a 44-14 record from 1993-95, winning a Pacific 10 championship her first year.

In September 1995, Miller became an NBA analyst for Turner Sports. Last year, she was part of NBC’s Olympic basketball coverage team, and in November she became the first female analyst to call a nationally televised NBA game.

Miller, who plans to buy a residence in the Phoenix area, will continue to work for Turner.

As general manager, Miller will have control over every aspect of assembling and preparing the team for the June 21 opener. But she said she would never suit up.

“I have no desire whatsoever to play,” Miller said.